German Air Force Launches New Air Defense Radar

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The German Air Force has entered its new long-range air defense radar system, the Ground Master 400 (GM 400), into service. Produced by ThalesRaytheonSystems, a transatlantic joint venture between Thales and Raythoen, the system is the first of six radar systems that will replace the former Thomson-CSF MPR radars, which have been in service since the 1970s. The first radar has been installed at Westphalen and has completed an operational test campaign with the German Air Force, Thales said.

[GM 400. Photo, courtesy of Thales.]

GM 400 is the latest generation 3D air surveillance variant of the Ground Master radar family, which can track a wide range of aircraft, including those flying below 500 feet and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

"It brings a real technology breakthrough with operational benefits like improved tracking, low altitude detection and easy maintenance. Our operators will benefit hugely from these latest technologies in threat detection," said Horst Minning, head of the land support department for the German Air Force.

ThalesRaytheonSystems plans to have the entire set of six radars installed by 2015.